Bridle bit having improved mouthpiece mounting

ABSTRACT

Improved mouthpiece mounting for a bridle bit including flat, elongated cheek pieces adapted to lie along the opposite cheeks of a horse or like animal and having a mouthpiece disposed transversely therebetween. A pin on each end of the mouthpiece is received within a T-shaped opening on each cheek piece, and rigid U-shaped clips engage the pins within these openings and connect opposite ends of the mouthpiece to the cheek pieces thereby permitting interchange of mouthpieces in the bridle bit. The clips maintain the pins in general alignment with the longitudinal axis of each cheek piece and also permit partial rotation of each cheek piece about the longitudinal axis of each pin. Means are provided for releasably joining the rigid clips to the cheek pieces.

United States Patent Parry June 20, 1972 [54] BRIDLE BIT HAVING IMPROVEDMOUTHPIECE MOUNTING [72] Inventor: James W. Parry, 373 Dominion Circle,

Concord, Tenn. 37720 [22] Filed: Dec. 18, 1970 I2] 1 App]. No; 99,538

2,066,087 12/1936 Berrera 54/6 R 3,205,636 9/1965 Laningham.... .54/83,315,459 4/1967 Gunthert ..54/8

Primary Examiner-Samuel Koren Assistant Examiner.lames H. CzerwonkyAttorney-Anderson, Luedeka, Fitch, Even & Tabin [57] ABSTRACT Improvedmouthpiece mounting for a bridle bit including flat, elongated cheekpieces adapted to lie along the opposite cheeks of a horse or likeanimal and having a mouthpiece disposed transversely therebetween. A pinon each end of the mouthpiece is received within a T-shaped opening oneach cheek piece, and rigid U-shaped clips engage the pins within theseopenings and connect opposite ends of the mouthpiece to the cheek piecesthereby permitting interchange of mouthpieces in the bridle bit. Theclips maintain the pins in general alignment with the longitudinal axisof each cheek piece and also permit partial rotation of each cheek pieceabout the longitudinal axis of each pin. Means are provided forreleasably joining the rigid clips to the cheek pieces.

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BRIDLE BIT HAVING IMPROVED MOUTHPXECE MOUNTING This invention relates tobridles, particularly for riding animals such as horses, and is directedspecifically to a bridle bit having an improved mouthpiece mounting.

A common bridle for a riding animal such as a horse or pony includes astall, bridle bit and reins. The usual bridle bit includes a pair ofelongated cheek pieces which are held in position along the oppositecheeks of the animal and a mouthpiece which extends transversely betweenthe cheek pieces and is adapted to be received in the horses mouth. Thereins are secured to the lower ends of the cheek pieces and when pulledthey cause the cheek pieces to exert a torque force upon the mouthpiece,thereby rotating the mouthpiece in the horses mouth for exercisingcontrol over the horse.

Since animals differ in the force which needs to be applied to exercisethe desired control over the animal, it is customary to choose amouthpiece construction which will produce the desired control withminimum pain or aggravation for the horse. Likewise, certain mouthpiecesproduce better control over the same horse under differentcircumstances, for example, a more severe mouthpiece may be used whenthe circumstances will require quick response of the horse to controlsignals. Similarly, not infrequently it is desired to employ a specifictype of cheek piece, such as a longer cheek piece to help generate thenecessary torque upon the mouthpiece with less effort by the rider.Heretofore, the mouthpiece has been mounted to the cheek pieces so thatit could not be exchanged without destruction of the mounting, therebyrequiring that any interchange of mouthpieces be done in a shop havingappropriate facilities. The lack of adequate facilities and expenseassociated with such interchanges has caused owners to purchase aseparate and complete bridle bit for each anticipated combination ofcheck pieces and mouthpiece, resulting in large and expensive bridle bitinventories. The problem of inventory has been particularly acute withrespect to retail and wholesale harness dealers who have been forced tomaintain on hand at least one each of several dozen commerciallyavailable combinations of cheek pieces and mouthpieces.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide animproved bridle bit wherein the mouthpiece is releasably secured to thecheek pieces of the bridle bit. Other objects and advantages of theinvention will appear from the following description and drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a representation of a bridle bit depicting various features ofthe improved mounting disclosed herein; and

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded view of the mounting depicted in FIG.1.

The present invention is illustrated in the Figures. As shown in theillustrations, the usual bridle bit construction includes a mouthpiecedisposed transversely between a pair of cheek pieces 12, 14. Each end ofthe mouthpiece 10 is pivotally secured in an appropriate slot 16, 18ineach cheek piece. As illustrated, this slot is preferably positionedintermediate the top end 20 and bottom end 22 of each cheek piece. Thelower ends 22, 22a of the cheek pieces are commonly joined by means of ajaw bar 24 looped at each of its ends into appropriate openings 26, 28in the lower ends of the cheek pieces to maintain the lower ends of thecheek pieces spaced apart. The length of the jaw bar 24 is approximatelyequal to the length of the mouthpiece 10 to insure a square" dispositionof the cheek pieces and other construction elements of the bridle. Theends 29, 31 of the bridle rein are also secured in the openings 26, 28in the cheek pieces 12, 14.

As shown in the Figures, each end of the mouthpiece 10 is provided withpin 30 fitted within a slot 32 in the end of the mouthpiece. This pin 30extends transversely of the position thereby making it completelyimpractical to exchange mouthpieces except in a properly equipped shop.

Each of the clips 38, 36 is removably secured to the cheek piece bymeans of a threaded bolt 44, 46, respectively, which is threadablyreceived in internally threaded openings 48, 50 in the cheek piece 14.When the clip means 36, 38 are placed in position to secure the pin 30of the mouthpiece 10 within slot 16, the openings 40,-42 of the clip 36are in register with the opening 50, and the openings 35, 37 of theother clip 38 are in register with the opening 48 in the cheek piece.Thereupen the clip 36 is secured in position by threading bolt 46through opening 40, thence through threaded opening 50, thence throughopening 42 of the clip 36. The other clip 38 is likewise secured by bolt44. Preferably, each of the bolts 44, 46 is provided with an enlarged,flattened head 47 having a frictional surface portion 49. Upon eitherbolt, for example bolt 46, being snugly threaded into its respectivethreading opening 50, the frictional surface portion 49 thereof contactsthe leg 41 of the clip means 36 forcing the leg 41 into contact with thecheek piece 14 whereby clip means 36 is locked against the surface ofcheek piece 14 with the leg 41 of the clip 36 performing the function ofa locking washer between the head 47 of the bolt 46 and the cheek piece14. By positioning the flattened head 47 of the bolt 46 on that side ofthe cheek piece which is to be adjacent the horse, there is noprojection which might cause injury to the horse. Slot means 51, 53 ispreferably provided in the head of each bolt for receiving a tool suchas a screwdriver for facilitating the threading of the bolt into thethreaded opening in the cheek piece.

The preferred threaded bolt 46, for example, is of sufiicient length toextend fully through the clip 36 to receive a nut 52 threaded thereon,the nut 52, when tightened against the leg 39 of the clip 36 to forcethe clip into contact with the cheek piece, creating a lock-nutcombination with the threaded cheek piece and positively securing theclip in place. Notably, in the absence of this lock-nut arrangement, thevigorous and repeated motion to which the bridle bit is subjected innormal use causes a loosening of the bolt 46 and eventual dislodgmentthereof, resulting in a harness failure which can cause the rider tolose control over his mount.

Whereas a description of the manner of mounting only one end of themouthpiece 10 has been given, it will be understood that the two ends ofthe mouthpiece are identically mounted to their respective cheek piece.Similarly, each of the several clips are secured in the manner describedabove for one of the clips.

Because the mouthpiece 10 is releasably held between the cheek pieces12, 14, the present invention provides a bridle bit wherein an owner caninterchange mouthpieces at his leisure or as the circumstances dictate.Accordingly, he needs only to purchase a number of different, andrelatively inexpensive, mouthpieces in order to have available a verywide range of bridle combinations. Similarly, a dealer can stockmouthpieces, rather than having to stock many of the more expensivecomplete bridle bits.

What is claimed is:

l. A bridle bit comprising a pair of generally parallel spaced-apartelongated cheek pieces each having a T-shaped side opening, a mouthpiecedisposed transversely between said cheek pieces, pin means disposedadjacent each end of said mouthpiece and extending perpendicularlytherefrom on opposite sides thereof, said pin means on one end of saidmouth piece being received in the bar portion of said T- shaped sideopening of one check piece and said pin means on the other end of saidmouthpiece being received in the bar portion of said T-shaped sideopening of the other cheek piece, one end of said mouthpiece beingreceived in the leg portion of said T-shaped side opening in one cheekpiece and the other end of said mouthpiece being received in the legportion of said T-shaped side opening in the other cheek piece, rigidU-shaped clip means engaging said pin means in their respective sideopenings and maintaining said pin means aligned generally with thelongitudinal axis of said generally parallel cheek pieces whilepermitting at least partial rotation of each cheek piece about thelongitudinal axis of its respective pin means, and means releasablyjoining said clip means to the respective cheek pieces.

2. The bridle bit of claim 1 including a plurality of said rigidU-shaped clip means each of which includes leg portions hav ing openingstherein, and wherein said means releasably joining each of said clipmeans to said cheek pieces comprises internally threaded openings ineach of said cheek pieces adjacent the respective side opening thereof,said openings in said legs of said clip means being in register with oneof said openings in said cheek pieces, externally threaded bolt meansextending through said in-register openings and threadably engaging saidthreaded opening in said cheek piece, said bolt means including arelatively enlarged and flattened head having a contact surfacefrictionally engaging one leg of said clip means when said bolt isthreaded in said threaded opening in said check piece thereby enhancingthe locking of said bolt in its position within said openings, and nutmeans threaded onto that end of said bolt means opposite said headthereof, said nut means frictionally engaging the other leg of said clipmeans and forcing said leg into contact with said cheek piece therebycreating a lock-nut arrangement between said nut and said threaded cheekpiece and releasably securing said mouthpiece ends to said cheek pieces.

3. In a bridle bit including a pair of cheek pieces and a mouthpieceextending transversely therebetween, the improvement comprising pinmeans passing transversely through each end of said mouthpiece andextending perpendicularly therefrom on opposite sides thereof, aT-shaped side opening in each of said cheek pieces for receiving one ofsaid pins which extend from said mouthpiece ends and for receiving oneof said mouthpiece ends, rigid U-shaped clip means covering said pinportions in said edge openings, said clip means including leg portionshaving openings therein, and releasable fastening means for securing theends of said mouthpieces in the respective side openings of therespective cheek pieces, including internally threaded openings in eachof said cheek pieces adjacent the respective side opening thereof, saidopenings in said legs of said clip means being in register with saidopenings in said cheek pieces, externally threaded bolt means extendingthrough said in-register openings and threadably engaging said threadedopening in said cheek piece, said bolt means including a relativelyenlarged and flattened head having a contact surface frictionallyengaging one leg of said clip means when said bolt is threaded in saidthreaded opening in said cheek piece thereby enhancing the locking ofsaid bolt in its position within said openings, and nut means threadedonto that end of said bolt means opposite said head thereof, said nutmeans frictionally engaging the other leg of said clip means and forcingsaid leg into contact with said cheek piece thereby creating a lock-nutarrangement between said nut and said threaded cheek piece andreleasably securing said mouthpiece ends to said cheek pieces.

1. A bridle bit comprising a pair of generally parallel spacedapartelongated cheek pieces each having a T-shaped side opening, a mouthpiecedisposed transversely between said cheek pieces, pin means disposedadjacent each end of said mouthpiece and extending perpendicularlytherefrom on opposite sides thereof, said pin means on one end of saidmouth piece being received in the bar portion of said T-shaped sideopening of one cheek piece and said pin means on the other end of saidmouthpiece being received in the bar portion of said T-shaped sideopening of the other cheek piece, one end of said mouthpiece beingreceived in the leg portion of said T-shaped side opening in one cheekpiece and the other end of said mouthpiece being received in the legportion of said T-shaped side opening in the other cheek piece, rigidUshaped clip means engaging said pin means in their respective sideopenings and maintaining said pin means aligned generally with thelongitudinal axis of said generally parallel cheek pieces whilepermitting at least partial rotation of each cheek piece about thelongitudinal axis of its respective pin means, and means releasablyjoining said clip means to the respective cheek pieces.
 2. The bridlebit of claim 1 including a plurality of said rigid U-shaped clip meanseach of which includes leg portions having openings therein, and whereinsaid means releasably joining each of said clip means to said cheekpieces comprises internally threaded openings in each of said cheekpieces adjacent the respective side opening thereof, said openings insaid legs of said clip means being in register with one of said openingsin said cheek pieces, externally threaded bolt means extending throughsaid in-register openings and threadably engaging said threaded openingin said cheek piece, said bolt means including a relatively enlarged andflattened head having a contact surface frictionally engaging one leg ofsaid clip means when said bolt is threaded in said threaded opening insaid cheek piece thereby enhancing the locking of said bolt in itsposition within said openings, and nut means threaded onto that end ofsaid bolt means opposite said head thereof, said nut means frictionallyengaging the other leg of said clip means and forcing said leg intocontact with said cheek piece thereby creating a lock-nut arrangementbetween said nut and said threaded cheek piece and releasably securingsaid mouthpiece ends to said cheek pieces.
 3. In a bridle bit includinga pair of cheek pieces and a mouthpiece extending transverselytherebetween, the improvement comprising pin means passing transverselythrough each end of said mouthpiece and extending perpendicularlytherefrom on opposite sides thereof, a T-shaped side opening in each ofsaid cheek pieces for receiving one of said pins which extend from saidmouthpiece ends and for receiving one of said mouthpiece ends, rigidU-shaped clip means covering said pin portions in said edge openings,said clip means including leg portions having openings therein, andreleasable fastening means for securing the ends of said mouthpieces inthe respective side opEnings of the respective cheek pieces, includinginternally threaded openings in each of said cheek pieces adjacent therespective side opening thereof, said openings in said legs of said clipmeans being in register with said openings in said cheek pieces,externally threaded bolt means extending through said in-registeropenings and threadably engaging said threaded opening in said cheekpiece, said bolt means including a relatively enlarged and flattenedhead having a contact surface frictionally engaging one leg of said clipmeans when said bolt is threaded in said threaded opening in said cheekpiece thereby enhancing the locking of said bolt in its position withinsaid openings, and nut means threaded onto that end of said bolt meansopposite said head thereof, said nut means frictionally engaging theother leg of said clip means and forcing said leg into contact with saidcheek piece thereby creating a lock-nut arrangement between said nut andsaid threaded cheek piece and releasably securing said mouthpiece endsto said cheek pieces.